Twins arrested, charged in alleged Great Kills drug crime

Bill Lyons/AdvancePolice gather at the intersection of Wiman Avenue and Hylan Boulevard, where a police officer was injured by two suspects who were later caught and taken into custody.

STATEN ISLAND, NY--Twin brothers Eric A. and Craig M. Luccetto, of 226 Wiman Ave., were the two men put into a black unmarked van last night by police, after a short manhunt brought swarms of law enforcement and a search helicopter to the neighborhood of Great Kills.

Slightly before 9 p.m., the brothers were observed taking part in an illegal drug transaction at the corner of Wiman Ave. and Hylan Blvd. according to a police spokesperson. When the observing officer moved to apprehend them, the 25-year-old twin brothers scuffled with him, cutting his face before fleeing down Wiman Ave.

The intervening officer was brought by ambulance to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, with minor injuries. He is in stable condition.

The twin brothers, who were apprehended at 224 Wiman Ave--next door to their listed residence--have been charged with burglary, assault of an officer, obstructing government administration, criminal mischief, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest.

A police source familiar with the investigation said that the brothers may have forced entry into their neighbor's residence while fleeing law enforcement. Last night, police confirmed that undercover officers were involved in the incident. Today a police spokesperson could not confirm how or why an officer was observing the alleged drug transaction.